Councils are urging ministers to give-up their plans to expand Heathrow, following a Parliamentary report which points out serious of flaws and omissions in the Government’s Heathrow expansion plan.

The
report, issued today (Thursday 23 Feb) by the cross party cross party
Environmental Audit Committee, states that there is little evidence that the
airport can expand without continuing to exceed legal limits on air pollution.

This
confirms the views of Hillingdon,
Richmond Wandsworth and Windsor and Maidenhead councils, which are campaigning to
highlight the serious environmental damage the scheme would bring to the south
east of England.

The
report also highlights the Government has provided no precise timing of a night
flight ban and little evidence that predictable respite can be achieved if the
airport is expanded. In addition, the
Government is relying on people switching to cleaner cars to reduce air
pollution but thee committee has no confidence that the uptake targets can be
met.

The
Committee was also critical of the Government’s ‘scant’ detail on its approach
to limiting carbon emissions.

Councillors say the report confirm their view
that there was no sound basis for picking Heathrow’s third runway as the basis for
the current aviation expansion consultation, and that the current
consultation is seriously misleading.

“This influential cross-party House of Commons committee
has reached exactly the same conclusions we have. The Government’s plans for
Heathrow will never pass a simple legal test on air quality. The airport
already churns out unlawful levels of air pollution, offers woefully inadequate
transport capacity and has Europe’s worst noise footprint - and that’s with
just two runways. Expansion will make all these issues worse.

“It’s wrong on every level, legally undeliverable and
will end in failure after years of wasted effort. Nothing is going to change
between now and 2018 to make this scheme any less polluting so ministers should
face up to this truth now and abandon their plans for a third runway.”

Lord
True, Leader of Richmond Council, said:

“Yet again this is more evidence that expanding
Heathrow is not feasible. The Government should give up now. Heathrow already
contributes to illegal pollution levels. And, the Government has no realistic
plan to combat this. Expanding Heathrow would not only be damaging to the
environment, but it would damage the health of tens of thousands of Londoners.

“We already take far more than any other
European airport’s noise and air pollution. We already do our bit for the
national interest. But enough is enough. The Government need to stop the spin
and come clean on the real impact of expansion.”

Cllr
Simon Dudley, Leader of The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead, said:

“The
Royal Borough welcomes the verdict of the Environmental Audit Committee,
confirming once again the Government’s failure to show air quality and
environmental impacts can be mitigated, if it attempts to build a third runway
at Heathrow.

“The
council will continue to hold the government to account, particularly on
environmental impacts, ensuring that local communities are protected.”

Cllr
Ray Puddifoot, Leader of Hillingdon Council, said:

"We've told the government time and time again
that a new runway at Heathrow will make already illegal air pollution levels
around the airport worse, and cause damage to the environment and to the
wellbeing of people. This latest report proves that the government has been
misleading the public and highlights the negative impact that expansion of
Heathrow will have on the environment, yet still the government refuses to
accept that it is breaking the law on the very important issue of air quality
and pollution.

“The current consultation by the Department for
Transport is incomplete and unbalanced, and doesn't even mention the fact
that Heathrow already contributes to illegal levels of air pollution which
would increase with expansion. We will continue to represent our residents'
views and to challenge any proposal that has such a detrimental effect on their
health and wellbeing."

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Recent comments

Carol, perhaps this area just isn't for you if you're such a sensitive flower. I guess the airport wasn't here when you moved in. Seriously though, please stop try to block progress. I wish there was more focus on the harm inflicted by diesel engines which is the real culprit.

Karl Dennis

10 March 2017

Really important that people respond to the Govt.'s leaflet which has used our money to promote a PR exercise for Heathrow. All the points are misleading, as suggested here. Watch out: Graiyling says it 'will'meetair safety standards, which must mean he is going to change them arbitrarily after Brexit!!!! Have just sat through hours of roaring overhead whilst trying to work ... brain dead. We cannot take any more. Those commenters who think business is more important than sanity .. wait till you have to suffer like us from the additional flight paths.

CarolTibbs

25 February 2017

Thank you WBC for campaigning on this matter. When we leave the EU and the dire predictions (of some!) come to pass of economic stagnation, will there be a reduction in air traffic to U.K. and spare capacity at Heathrow?

A

25 February 2017

What is this legal test that the air quality will fail on Mr Govindia? Remember we will not be part of Europe when the 3rd runway is built, so we can do what is best for the country - a bigger, better airport which is needed immediately.